This study evaluated the alternatives to SARS-CoV-2 collection devices and medias to identify a cheaper and efficacious mode of collection through polyester nasal swabs. Comparing polyester swabs to foam swabs in simulated nasal swabbing, polyester swabs were shown to absorb 150% more than foam swabs. When evaluating stability of the dry polyester, dry foam, and polyester in saline swabs after the swabbing simulation, all swabs demonstrated stability up to 48 hours and without a cold chain. For the stability of human matrix and clinical specimens, stability up to 72 hours in cold storage and at least up to 48 hours in warmer conditions was seen for the dry polyester swab. In assessing the feasibility of dry polyester swabs for home-based swabbing for adults and children, all home-collected specimens were suitable for testing even though their return time to the lab differed (< 24 hours, 25-48 hours, 49-80 hours, or >80 hours). Findings demonstrated the utility of dry polyester swabs as an inexpensive and useful method of specimen collection for COVID-19 testing.